New NaCSBA member Green Planning Studio is able to support self-builders looking to obtain planning permission in tricky areas, thanks to its specialisation in working with areas of constraint. Its new website lists services available along with case studies of successful projects.
Based in Shropshire but covering England and Wales, Green Planning Studio has extensive experience in securing planning and issues around architecture in areas of constraint, that is areas where it is more difficult to obtain planning permission.
Areas of constraint are typically:
- Countryside
- Green Belt
- Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
- The Historic Environment
We asked Ruth Reed, Director of Green Planning Studio, how the studio can support self builders with securing planning permission?
“We have a successful and unusual approach to planning,” she says. “Our starting point is to identify opportunities to resolve unusual and challenging cases. This involves reviewing detailed guidance and policy, including national policy, legislation – such as the Self Build and Custom Act, the General Permitted Development Order (including Class Q barn conversions) and planning case law.
“For example, we may use the General Permitted Development Order to determine if the property can apply for change of use or a substantial extension under permitted development, and therefore may not even require a planning application. But this varies depending on the location of your site.”
Green Planning Studio also offers a range of other services, including architectural design as it is Chartered Practice with the Royal Institute of British Architects. It can also offer:
- Landscape appraisals
- Heritage assessments
- Measured surveys
- Phase 1 contaminated land assessments, and
- Passivhaus design
If you’ve a site in mind get in touch for an appraisal to assess the opportunities and constraints, as the starting point of your project.
NaCSBA Member Update
